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Last Updated: April 14, 2010

Mangano’s Assessment Plan-
For Better or Worse?

• LC Colgate
Last week, Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano ordered commercial owners to have their homes and businesses re-valued every four years instead of annually. His intention, as he signed this order, is seemingly, to stabilize values rather than have a different assessment every year and to save taxpayer money. In a news release, Mangano said “Nassau County taxpayers are in a state of emergency. We are taking actions that will relieve the taxpayers of a system that wastes taxpayer money.”
The plan has been met with skepticism from those who have been pushing for a re-haul of the county’s assessment system. Some questioned the statement that refunds would be issued more promptly under the new system. Mangano has stated that the county would save nearly $50 million next year and $300 million over four years by requiring commercial property assessment challengers to submit a certified appraisal by October 1 or face a $5,000 fine. Developers claim that they do not yet know how the appraisal proposal will impact their businesses. Disgruntled homeowners feel that Mangano’s plan will help the county but not the homeowner or business owner in Nassau County.
One point that everyone does seem to agree on is that the system is broken, and needs quick emergency surgery.